For two years now, the New Tampa Performing Arts Center has been a beacon for fans of music, theater and dance in north central Hillsborough County, southern Pasco and environs.
Don’t feel up to schlepping to a downtown theater? Say hello to a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art venue, with top-shelf sound, lights and video, and a massive stage with full-sized cyclorama.
The county paid $7.5 million to construct this 354-seat facility, nestled between subdivisions and golf courses, a stone’s throw from Bruce B. Downs Boulevard (the area is literally and legally known as New Tampa).
This weekend, you can experience it without spending a nickel.
The New Tampa Performing Arts Center’s annual Arts Festival, Friday through Sunday, is a “get acquainted” event – there are performances from a variety of local companies and soloists all weekend long.
And, said manager Keith Arsenault, “it’s a great chance for families to introduce their children to the performing arts,” because Saturday morning The Florida Orchestra is bringing its “instrument petting zoo,” which allows little ones to look at, touch, hear and learn about orchestral instruments.
(There’s also a 10 a.m. screening of Disney’s 1991 animated musical Beauty and the Beast.)
Local theater groups Hat Trick, Outcast and the New Tampa Players have programs planned, as well as students from the University of South Florida Musical Theater program.
Classical performers include pianist Vincent Pham, and featured vocalists from the St. Petersburg Opera Company.
The New Tampa Performing Arts Center is located at 8550 Hunters Village Road in Tampa. Visit the website here.
Festival Schedule
All events and performances are free to attend. In addition to mainstage acts, the festival will showcase lobby performances by both professional and student artists throughout the weekend.
Friday, Sept. 12 – Doors open at 5 p.m.
Studio 1
5:45 p.m.: Outcast Theatre
7:45 p.m.: Cultural Arts Theater
Studio 2A
Backstage Tours at: 5 and 6 p.m.
Theater
7 p.m.: Wattaka Choir
8:15 p.m.: Jansen Dance Project
Saturday, Sept. 13 – Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Studio 1
5 p.m.: Winold Music Festival
6:45 p.m.: USF Musical Theatre Program
Studio 2A
9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.: Florida Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo
Backstage Tours at: 12:15, 1:45 and 4:30 p.m.
Theater
10 a.m.: Film screening: Disney’s Beauty and The Beast (1991)
1 p.m.: Entertainment Revue
2:15 p.m.: Hillsborough College Music Department
3:30 p.m.: Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival featuring Vincent Pham (solo piano)
4:45 p.m.: Hat Trick Theatre and Tales of Mild Interest
6 p.m.: Anna Dance Academy
7:30 p.m.: Tampa City Ballet’s Cinderella
Sunday, Sept. 14 – Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Studio 1
1:15 p.m.: Countdown Improv
3 p.m.: Devine Madness Sketch Comedy
Studio 2A
Backstage Tour at 3:15 p.m.
Theater
1 p.m.: Cypress Creek Jazz Band
2:15 p.m.: Rudram Dance Company
3:45 p.m.: New Tampa Players
5 p.m.: St. Petersburg Opera Company, with special performance by Tampa City Ballet
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source stpetecatalyst.com ’
